After two amazing World's Fairs in the city's history, why not try for a third? This is the story of Chicago's World's Fair of 1992. Jesus Christ Superstar at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (July 19-31, 2022): https://www.broad…
A man-made island that hosted a World’s Fair and was the site of a controversial move by former mayor Richard M. Daley in 2003 before becoming a city park? In this episode we’re discussing Chicago’s Northerly Island and Meig…
There wasn’t a more effective police officer on the force during his tenure, and if anyone back then didn’t believe it, they could just ask him. Today we’re discussing Clifton R. Wooldridge, Chicago’s Real-Life Sherlock Holm…
The 100th anniversary of the most violent labor battle in the U.S. is June 22, 2022. This is the story of the Herrin Coal Massacre of 1922. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of coffee and help offset produ…
One of the best known radio disc jockeys in Chicago's history is the subject of a new documentary - The Dick Biondi Film. The film's director, Pam Pulice, is working on raising funds to finish the film and has an event this …
It isn’t the oldest one or the largest one in America, but the awesome one here in Chicago does have a fascinating history. Today we’re discussing the Lincoln Park Zoo. Looking for gift ideas for dads and grads AND a way to …
It was supposed to be a leisurely day spent on the beach along Lake Michigan by three friends, but before the sun set, the trio of women had vanished. This is the story of the Missing Sunbathers of the Indiana Dunes. Looking…
In June 1987, director Brian De Palma’s gangster-themed film set in Chicago was released to movie theaters. In this episode, Chicago History Podcast At The Movies looks at the 35th anniversary of “The Untouchables.” Show som…
A Chicago baseball team that at times drew bigger crowds than the White Sox and the Cubs? This is the story of the most dominant team in black baseball for more than twenty years and the man who led them – Rube Foster and th…
A local gal who worked at the Edgewater before becoming a singing sensation and the Edgewater Beach Hotel's connection to the Edgewater Hospital, with special guest Todd M. Ganz. Todd and Stephani Young hosted the podcast If…
On Wednesday, 5/11, I was a guest on the City Cast Chicago podcast discussing the 90 year history of Bally's (pinball, slot machines, arcade games, Six Flags, casinos, and Bally's Total Fitness) and how that all got started …
It was known as the Queen of the Lakefront, a resort hotel unlike any other, offering guests luxury and entertainment by some of the day’s biggest stars. Sadly, for all its splendor, its time in Chicago was cut far too short…
They called him “The Oil King” and the “New Rockefeller.” He was charming, generous, the life of the party, and by all appearances, an astute businessman. But was it all too good to be true? This is the story of Leo Koretz, …
Like something out of a Michael Bay movie, a crash in downtown Chicago became America’s first civil aviation catastrophe. Today we’re discussing the Wingfoot Express Air Disaster of 1919. To Kill A Mockingbird , coming to Ch…
It is one of the most popular tourist destinations not only in Chicago but in all of Illinois, although its use has changed numerous times since it was built more than 100 years ago. Today we’re talking about the history of …
They were some of the biggest comic actors of their time, influencing comedians for generations to come. Today we’re talking about the Marx Brothers in Chicago. We’ll also talk about what happened to some of the places the M…
It has been called “eighty acres of Hell” and was one of the deadliest Confederate prisons of the Civil War. Today’s we’re talking about Chicago’s Notorious Camp Douglas. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup …
It was a two BILLION dollar catastrophe without a single fatality that brought portions of the city to a standstill. Today’s we’re talking about the Great Chicago Flood of 1992. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of…
She worked on John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign, was guided through Chicago politics by Richard J. Daley, and became the first female mayor of Chicago. Today we’re discussing Jane Byrne, whose story is part of the upco…
45 years ago, one of the most horrifying transportation accidents in Chicago happened downtown at the height of rush hour. This is the story of the CTA Derailment of 1977. Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup…
He served as a Chicago policeman for more than 32 years and was Chicago’s chief of police for four, but Francis O’Neill is probably better known for his efforts in preserving the music of his homeland. Today we’re talking ab…
It was called “The Madhouse on Madison” and had the reputation as being “The Loudest Arena in the NBA,” but this venue hosted much more than just some of the most memorable sports events in the city’s history and had an unus…
In what was then primarily farmlands 39 miles outside of Chicago, a gun battle erupted between federal law enforcement agents and an outlaw on the run, resulting in chaos and death. This is the story of Baby Face Nelson and …
Chicago's Black-Owned Record Labels (Part Two) looks at Rhumboogie Records, a short-lived label in the 1940s, and Vee-Jay Records, credited with introducing records by The Beatles to America. Special guest: author John F. Ly…
